1 Thessalonians 2
1 For ye yourselves know, brothers, our entrance with you, that it has not become empty.
For you yourselves know, brothers, that my visit to you did not fail of its purpose;
2 But having suffered before and been mistreated in Philippi, as ye know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the good news of God within much conflict.
for you remember that although I had already borne ill-treatment and insult at Philippi, I took courage in my God to tell you the gospel of God, in the face of much opposition.
3 For our exhortation is not from error, nor from uncleanness, nor in deception,
For my preaching was not grounded on a delusion, or on impure motives, on in deceit.
4 but as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the good news, thus we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who proves our hearts.
But as my fitness to be entrusted with the gospel has been tested and approved by God, I so speak, not to please men, but to please God, who is testing my motives.
5 For we came neither in word of flattery (at any time as ye know) nor a pretense of greed (God is witness)
For as you well know, I never resorted to flattery, nor to any pretext for enriching myself. God is my witness!
6 nor seeking glory from men, neither from you nor from others. While able to bear down as apostles of Christ,
Now was I seeking glory from men, either yourselves or others, although I might have exercised authority as Christ’s apostle.
7 nevertheless we became gentle in the midst of you, as a nurse cherishes her own children.
On the contrary I showed myself among you as gentle as a mother, when she tenderly nurses her own children.
8 Thus being desirous of you, we were pleased to impart to you, not only the good news of God, but also our own souls, because ye have become beloved to us.
So in my fond affection it was my joy to give you, not only the gospel of God, but my very life also, because you had become dear to me.
9 For ye remember, brothers, our labor and the hardship. For, laboring night and day in order not to burden any of you, we preached to you the good news of God.
You recall, brothers, my labor and toil; how, while working at my trade day and night, so as not to become a burden to any of you, I proclaimed to you the gospel of God.
10 Ye are witnesses, and God, how piously and justly and blamelessly we became to you who believe,
You are witnesses - and so is God - how pure and just and blameless was my behavior among you believers.
11 just as ye know, as each one of you as a father of his own children, imploring you, and comforting,
You know how I was wont to treat each of you as a father treats his children,
12 and solemnly declaring for you to walk worthily of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
exhorting and imploring and adjuring each one among you to lead a life worthy of the God who called you into his own kingdom and glory.
13 And because of this we thank God without ceasing, because, having received the word of God heard from us, ye received not the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God, which also is at work in you who believe.
For this reason also I am giving continual thanks to God, because when you heard from me the spoken word of God, you received it not as the word of men, but as the word of God (which in truth it is), who himself is effectually at work in you believe.
14 For ye, brothers, became imitators of the congregations of God, which are in Judea in Christ Jesus, because ye also suffered the same things by your own countrymen, just as also they by the Jews.
For you, brothers, began to follow the example of the churches of God in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus; and you in your turn suffered at the hands of your fellow citizens persecutions like to those which they endured from the Jews -
15 The men who both killed the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and who persecuted us, and are not pleasing to God, and are contrary to all men.
The men who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out - they are displeasing to God, and are the enemies of all mankind.
16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles so that they might be saved, in order to fill up their sins always. But wrath came upon them finally.
They forbid me to speak to the Gentiles with a view to their salvation. They continue always to fill up the measure of their sins; but the wrath of God is come upon them to the full!
17 But we, brothers, who were orphaned from you for the time of an hour, in presence not in heart, hastened more earnestly to see your face, with much desire.
But I, my brothers, although torn from you for a short season (in presence, not in heart), made eager efforts to behold you face to face with strong longing.
18 Therefore we wanted to come to you, indeed I, Paul, even once and again, and Satan hindered us.
For that reason I would fain have visited you - I, Paul, again and again - but Satan hindered me.
19 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boast? Or is it not even ye, before our Lord Jesus at his coming?
For what is my hope, or joy? What is the victor’s wreath in which I exult? What but your own selves in the presence of our Lord Jesus, at his coming!
20 For ye are our glory and joy.
For you are my pride and my delight.
